Shopsmith Forums

... This help?
FATHER'S DAY 2008 LAST ONE I GOT.

NOT THE STANDALONE ONE.

stephen_a._draper wrote:I am looking for a Christmas 1987 or later Shopsmith catalog that shows the original Overarm Pin Router with the wooden table along with stock numbers and accessories. It is pictured in the Fall 1987 Hands On Magazine on pages 8 and 9.

I have a copied manual for that version of Router Arm that came with mine(I got used off ebay.) The delivery date was according to copy 6/25/81, manual has a date of 11/80 copyright 1979.

I might also have such a catalog but it is boxed away somewhere where as the manual I have in a loose leaf binder on a shelf.... so if I could provide some information from the manual much easier then digging looking for the catalog.

When I got mine I was able to order a newer manual from shopsmith (555254) dated 4/87 copyright 1987.

I was also able to get a Routing System and Components manual dated 9/89 that has the new top and the ability to have a table mounted router in addition to the top one on the arm.

Anyway let me know if these might help and I see if I can remember what box has my old shopsmith catalogs in it.

Ed

stephen_a._draper wrote:I am looking for a Christmas 1987 or later Shopsmith catalog that shows the original Overarm Pin Router with the wooden table along with stock numbers and accessories. It is pictured in the Fall 1987 Hands On Magazine on pages 8 and 9.

Here is a scan of the page from the 1993 catalog.

This is still listed as an order-able item.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/item ... tem=845144

This the Router Arm Manual I mentioned above.

Ed

This may sound like a noob question (which it is ) but what is the functional difference (other than the higher speed of the router) over the capability of the Mark 7? I am looking at that setup, and seem to be seeing the same thing as my Mark 7, except no head stock above or below the table depending on configuration. Is there an advantage?

Thanks in advance!

Let me count the ways they are different. First, while it is true the shopsmith head stock can route the lower speeds of the old ones for me is a big deal. Even the new powerpro only hits 10K where as a nominal router will be in the 18K to 20K range. On bigger bits this is not a big deal but with smaller bits the rpm is important.

Functions of the overarm router is basically two fold.

Overhead router

First the bit being above the table makes seeing what is happening easy which some folks like. However the control surface is now on the bottom, opposite to the location the cuts are taking place. If your work pieces is thicker or thinner then the depth of cut will not be the same where as this would not happen if the bit were on the same side as the control surface.

So for the moment lets look at the router arm and how it works. The handle that lowers the bit also locks the depth. Does the head stock have this capability? Nope. So all you need is three arms and you can manage to hold the work, adjust the depth and the third arm is then left to tighten the quill lock. Of course this only applies to plunge cuts. If you can lower the bit and lock before you get to the work piece then they work the same.

Pin routing

The overhead router is really in its element when doing pin routing. The prime reason I wanted one in the first place. The system comes with 3 sizes of pins that screw in to a plate made for this function. That combined with the locking feed lever makes for a really nice system. It is limited in that the router is always above and the pin below.

With the head stock you end up with the same table that is used for sawing, drilling, sanding, well all those sorts of things but no provision for pin routing or much of any thing to do routing with. So plan to make your own. Sure it can be done but then it depends on how much effort you want to put in the making this a pin router. You do have the opting of having the router function above or below so I guess that is something.

So anyway that is a quick look at the differences.

Ed